Police operational advice
Expert, reliable advice and guidance for police forces on
all operational matters.
Police operations involve legal risk on a daily basis. Decisions
need to be taken, usually under pressure, and actions often have to
be defended as a result of adverse publicity. Good, reliable
operational advice is essential in enabling police authorities to
perform effectively, to protect officers and to maintain good
public relations.
Weightmans' Police team has considerable experience in
this specialist field. We work regularly with a number of police
forces on a wide range of issues, with particular emphasis on risk
management, planning and training.
As a police authority, we can help you make better decisions and
deal effectively with every operational issue likely to arise. This
includes advising officers and civilian staff on all aspects of
PACE, attending briefings before large operations and advising on
powers of arrest and detention. We also deal with obtaining
warrants of further detention, exercising powers of seizure and
retention, and using powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act and
Police Property Act.
Our supporting services include advising on training and health
and safety issues, and drafting policies for sharing and disclosure
of information to third party agencies under the Crime and Disorder
Act. We also help with drafting indemnities and providing services
to other bodies, and regularly advise on the impact of future
legislation.
We offer a range of training vehicles to help you achieve
practical improvements in the areas of policing that can lead to
conflict with the public. Our group lectures and hands-on workshops
are designed to raise awareness of current case law as it affects
arrest and detention, use of force and similar issues.
Risk management is one of the most important areas of modern
policing; we advise on what may have to be accepted as unavoidable
risk and provide a full assessment of risk areas where policies can
be adopted and action taken to minimise risk.
All our services are quality-based and designed to protect your
operations and help you run them cost-effectively. As part of
our all-round service, we run a 24/7 telephone helpline so that one
of our lawyers is always available to help you deal with incidents
as they arise.